Leeds Arena plays major part in retail sector boost

THE man behind the delivery of Leeds Arena has said the boost it has given the city was “exactly” what Leeds City Council set out to achieve.

Martin Farrington, director of city development at the Council, was commenting on a report from PwC and the Local Data Company (LDC) today, which attributed a rise in consumer confidence and spending to successful developments such as Leeds Arena and Trinity Leeds.

Mr Farrington said: “Leeds Arena has helped to extend footfall in the city centre, particularly giving a boost to the evening economy which adds to the vibrancy and draw of the city centre as a whole.

“This was exactly the kind of boost that Leeds City Council set out to achieve.”

PwC and LDC’s study of 500 town centres across the UK has shown that while the region had 244 outlets close in a six-month period, there were 265 openings in the same period, a net increase of 21 stores, compared to a net decrease of 42 for the same period last year. It is only one of three regions with a net increase, along with the East of England and the South West and has experienced the largest increase of these three.

Randal Casson, partner and retail specialist, PwC Leeds said: “It is still tough for the retail sector but this report shows that Yorkshire is faring well compared to the rest of the regions in the UK. The opening of the iconic Trinity Centre in Leeds, and the new Leeds Arena have been huge successes for the city, and this increase in both leisure and retail openings has boosted consumer confidence and spending.”